Turning the tide, one bike at a time | Auckland News | Local News in Auckland

The Big Bike Fix-up will be part of the 10/10/10 global working bee. A global working bee, you say? Hayley Hannan finds out what it's all about.

Phil Jones bends to tighten bolts on his trusty bike. The brakes are set. He clips his feet in and climbs on his wheels to begin a daily commute from the North Shore, via a ferry ride, to his central city office.

The environmental consultant is comfortable weaving through traffic and climbing hilly roads every day - but he knows many Aucklanders aren't and he hopes to help change that.

He's going to use his skills in The Big Bike Fix-up, one of many events planned for a global working bee called 10/10/10.

While Phil teaches Aucklanders how to adjust their brakes on October 10, groups across the world will be planting native trees, installing insulation and showing they are committed to a low-carbon future.

The Big Bike Fix-up is one of the first events registered in New Zealand.

Phil joined the event last year and says the idea is to help others ride safely and confidently.

"In the long term, we have got to reduce our reliance on the car as a means of getting about the city. It's about changing the focus from a car-friendly city to a  bike-friendly city.

"[The day is] a great idea; mobilising people at a global level and also at a grassroots level. We need to take action and lower our impact on the environment."

The event will be held at Shed One, the former Team New Zealand headquarters in Halsey St. Workshops on bike maintenance, advice on skills, and information on cycling projects, are planned, as well as entertainment.

An umbrella group called 350 Aotearoa is working with Waitakere's Ecomatters trust to organise New Zealand's event.

Ecomatters finds environmental solutions for businesses. Spokesman Carl Chenery says the focus of the global event is to lower  carbon emissions.

He expects a large turnout this year. At his last count, there were 1000 entries across the world, 14 from New Zealand. "I think it's a long journey but it starts now. This isn't something we're going to solve and resolve but it's something we can continue working for."

Anyone for tens?

10/10/10 is a 350 Global Climate Working Bee.

Thousands of groups across the world will work on lowering carbon levels by fixing houses and bikes, planting trees and tending community gardens. The idea is to send a message to leaders that communities are ready for, and committed to, climate change. Last year there were 160 actions across NZ and 5200 actions worldwide.

To get involved, either register a new action or join a registered action through the website: 350.org